Hello Braided River Community!
As we wrap up another year in the fight to protect public lands, wildlife, and the communities that depend on them, we would like to honor the talented storytellers—authors, photographers, and artists—who we have the privilege to work alongside. Their work in capturing the beauty and complexity of our environment delivers inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes photos that are sure to elicit warmth and awe.
This year, our artists were found sharing loaves of sourdough in British Columbia, searching for and documenting kittens with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, honoring the ceremonial knowledge of the Lummi people, and diving in various locations around the world!
Photo of Kiliii Yüyan, Guardians of Life author and photographer
“I spent several weeks in British Columbia, Canada this summer, travelling to the headwaters of the Columbia River to promote Big River and Right and Respectful Relations. I stayed with colleagues in all the rural communities, including this river-hero and dual-citizen, Graeme Lee Rowlands. Graeme founded and directs the Columbia River Field School, giving high school students a hands-on experience of the water. He loved the loaf of homemade sourdough that I carried forward from my previous host, a talented mountain guide, baker and dear friend in Revelstoke, B.C.”
—Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, Big River author
Photo by David Moskowitz, Big River author and photographer
“This spring I was invited to join biologists from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to search for and document what they believed to be kittens from one of their translocated Canada lynx in the Kettle Range of north central Washington as part of their ongoing efforts to restore a variety of species of wildlife that had been extirpated from their traditional territory in the heart of the Columbia River watershed.”
—David Moskowitz, Big River author and photographer
Coming February 2026—Pre-Order Guardians of Life
Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet is an extraordinary visual journey that reveals Indigenous communities as Earth’s most powerful protectors, offering a global perspective, from Palau’s coral reefs to Greenland’s sea ice. This stunning volume is powered by the collective wisdom of more than two dozen Indigenous voices, including activist Quannah Chasinghorse and Palauan statesman Tommy Remengesau Jr. Their expertise is brought forward through National Geographic photojournalist Kiliii Yüyan's striking imagery, the editorial mastery of bestselling author (1491) Charles Mann, and writer Gleb Raygorodetsky's insights.
Pre-order your copy of Guardians of Life before its mid-February 2026 release and stay tuned forupcoming events!
Our Work Is Not Possible Without You!
Thank you for sticking by our side throughout the turbulent year of conservation public policy. Braided River would not have such a vast network of authors and photographers without you. As Jody Potts-Joseph (Hän Gwich'in) says, don’t let go of the sled in the new year. We must continue to build momentum in the fight for wild places, from the Arctic and Salish Sea to the Colorado River. Consider donating to keep your favorite Braided River projects in motion and to bring new ones to life.
Action Item of the Month
Take Action to Protect Sacred Lands in the Arctic and Beyond
Public lands near and far from our Seattle roots are facing an abundance of threats from Forest and Park Service staffing cuts, public land giveaways, fast-tracked oil and gas development, foreign mining interests, and attacks on Indigenous sovereignty. The next month presents a crucial time when Congress will be negotiating 2026 appropriation bills. Hearing from conservation supporters and the outdoor recreation community will keep public lands at the forefront of this process.
Let your Senators and Representatives know you care about what goes on in America’s Arctic and with the Forest Service, Park Service, and other agencies.
Photo Credits
Top and Second Photos: Kiliii Yüyan, Guardians of Life author and photographer
Third Photo: David Moskowitz, Big Riverauthor and photographer
Fourth Photo: Guardians of Life cover, Kiliii Yüyan, Guardians of Life author and photographer
Final Photo: Dave Showalter, Living River author and photographer